Investigate possible locations for new community gardens based on a set of criteria for successful implementation. The identification of possible garden sites is needed to meet the growing need for easy access to healthy food. It has become increasingly challenging to find open space suitable for gardens in Montgomery County due to the lack of open space in urban areas, a heavy tree canopy throughout the county and new requirements for ADA.
A short list of books and websites are included below as the best places to start researching this topic. For possible search terms see the Search Strategies under Library Overview.
Human-Environmental Interactions in Cities by
This book addresses international research communities concerned with conceptual, scientific, and design approaches to urban land developments and biodiversity. The main focus is on the understanding of human-environment interactions analysed by multi-disciplinary approaches. The articles in this important collection include new concepts and challenges for sustainable green space development emerging from the pressure caused by urbanisation. The concept of biophilic urbanism and the framework of urban ecosystem services are introduced and referred to by applications in different case studies in Europe. Case studies also refer to the current challenges for biodiversity in different urban spaces. These spaces include the urban garden and school environments. Important human-species interactions are identified by analysing the allergenic potential of urban trees in a US city. Anthropogenic influences on the survival or local extinction of species are examined in a Mediterranean urban area. In all articles, the importance of urban planning on green infrastructure development, biodiversity conservation and management within the urban ecosystem is highlighted, and planning recommendations are given.
Living Streets by
The only book of its kind to provide an overview of sustainable street design Today, society is moving toward a more sustainable way of life, with cities everywhere aspiring to become high-quality places to live, work, and play. Streets are fundamental to this shift. They define our system of movement, create connections between places, and offer opportunities to reconnect to natural systems. There is an increasing realization that the right-of-way is a critical and under-recognized resource for transformation, with new models being tested to create a better public realm, support balanced transportation options, and provide sustainable solutions for stormwater and landscaping. Living Streets provides practical guidance on the complete street approach to sustainable and community-minded street use and design. Written by an interdisciplinary team of authors, the book brings insights and experience from urban planning, transportation planning, and civil engineering perspectives. It includes examples from many completed street design projects from around the world, an overview of the design and policy tools that have been successful, and guidance to help get past the predictable obstacles to implementation: Who makes decisions in the right-of-way? Who takes responsibility? How can regulations be changed to allow better use of the right-of-way? Living Streets informs you of the benefits of creating streets that are healthier, more pleasant parts of life: Thoughtful planning of the location, uses, and textures of the spaces in which we live encourages people to use public space more often, be more active, and possibly live healthier lives. A walkable community makes life easier and more pleasant for everyone, especially for vulnerable populations within the larger community whose transportation limitations reduce access to jobs, healthy food, health care, recreation, and social interaction. Streets present opportunities to improve the natural environment while adding to neighborhood character, offering beauty, providing shade, and improving air quality. If you're an urban planner, designer, transportation engineer, or civil engineer, Living Streets is the ultimate guide for the creation of more humane streetscapes that connect neighborhoods and inspire people.
